Huawei Technologies Thailand, the local unit of the global tech powerhouse, has unveiled an interactive smart board that can support online work and study as well as facilitate remote healthcare in line with new trends, capitalising on cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
According to Grand View Research, the global interactive board market was valued at US$1.6 billion in 2019, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 7.6% from 2020 to 2027, driven by the adoption of advanced learning methods.
Demand for gamification and digital classrooms, coupled with the increasing popularity of interactive whiteboards with AI, is anticipated to drive the market, according to the report.
"We are experiencing a social and economic revolution driven by the rapid acceleration of the digital economy, which has normalised work and education processes through digital technology," Abel Deng, chief executive of Huawei Technologies Thailand, said at the virtual event for the product launch on Friday.
"This requires our company's smart products to focus more on digitalisation and intelligence, enabling efficient collaboration between individuals and teams, and facilitating knowledge sharing."
Huawei IdeaHub Board integrates telepresence functionality, electronic whiteboard usage and cloud video conferencing.
The product, which is available with a 65-inch or 85-inch screen, comes with dual operating systems -- Windows and Android OS.
It has low latency at 35 milliseconds, providing rapid interactive usage as well as a fast response time, he said.
Mr Deng said the product is appropriate for smart education environments and for small to medium-size smart offices.
"The device's design serves new working and learning lifestyles, and uses the power of cloud and AI to increase efficiency and productivity, allowing workplace collaboration and interactive learning anywhere, anytime," he said.
"IdeaHub is a combination of technology and art, and a turning point in productivity and collaboration," said Chawapol Jariyawiroj, president of Huawei Technologies Thailand.
The product has been used for smart education, government cloud video conferencing, marketing activities and telehealth services, he said.
Pornthep Watcharaamnouy, vice-president for marketing for commercial, Internet of Things and cloud at IT and tech distributor Synnex Thailand, said the firm is an official partner of the IdeaHub board to expand the Thai market, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises and the education sector.
He said the product combines conference meeting tools and an interactive whiteboard in one package, with a starting price of 196,999 baht, below the cost of buying conferencing equipment (around 500,000 baht) and an interactive whiteboard (100,000 baht).
Synnex is planning a special promotional package, allowing a free trial for a month.
